SpyVerter Upconverter now for sale

The team behind the Airspy software defined radio (as well has the popular SDR# software package) have just released the SpyVerter upconverter for sale. Upconverters shift HF frequencies (0 – 30 MHz) “up” by a fixed amount, giving receivers that can’t tune that low like the RTL-SDR and the Airspy the ability to receive HF signals.

The SpyVerter extends reception all the way down to DC and has a 60 MHz low pass filter. Its main selling point is its H-Mode architecture which provides excellent IIP3 performance. This basically means that strong HF signals are unlikely to cause overloading in the up-conversion stage. The good IIP3 performance should improve HF reception when compared to other upconverters even with lower end SDR’s like the RTL-SDR. The reason is that when hit by strong HF signals many other upconverters will overload in the upconversion mixing stage, before even reaching the SDR, thus requiring the need for attenuators or antennas with less gain.

Another selling point is its good performance down to DC, making it ideal for VLF reception.

SpyVerter is designed for optimal performance with the Airspy and can be powered directly by the Airspy’s bias tee. However, RTL-SDR users can also use the SpyVerter by powering it through the micro USB connector, or by using it with one of our RTL-SDR Blog units with the activatable bias tee.

The SpyVerter sells for $59 USD and comes in a metal enclosure with three bonus SMA adapters. There is a $9 USD discount for Airspy owners.

At these prices combined with its claimed performance and metal enclosure we now generally recommend the SpyVerter over any other upconverter. The designers of the SpyVerter have sent us a sample unit and we will review it after testing it out over the next few weeks, but our initial tests already show good performance.

27 comments

Who does this and every other article state that the frequency range of the RTL-SDR.com dongle is limited to 24 – 1766 MHz. It’s simply not true. The R820T2 RTL-SDR v3 can reach frequencies below 24… far below.

You need to first set the sampling mode to “Q-branch direct sampling” in your software for reception below 24 MHz. Have a look at our guide at https://www.rtl-sdr.com/V3 for some info on how to do that.

Terrific! It works. I found the Q Branch Direct sampling as per your instructions, then, added a long aerial which I just clipped to the rabbit ears aerial linked to the RTL-SDR and there is reception! Thank you very much for that. Cheers.

If this thing is really built around an H-Mode design, then RIP SDR-Play, Ham-It-Up, SV1AFN, etc. How can they build such a mixer for cheap?
For the novices/ignorants who commented and who, I believe, don’t see any difference between poop and cake:

sdrplay:
Internal reference clock: 24MHz +/-10ppm (crystal)
External reference Clock: none. But you could de-solder the crystal, a few SMD capacitors and connect an external 24MHz reference. Extra shielding would also be required to avoid a major degradation in performance.

The real question should be why is the airspy so cheap, or why is sdrplay so expensive. If you try and compare the two products you have failed to understand that they are in totally different categories.

The conversion loss should be close to NF declared, so 8dB. On the other hand, declared performance indicate clearly that the measurements of the IP3 were not performed nor the NF and the conversion losses. Declaring some values like better then some value or lower then some value is marketing trick. Reaching the IIP3 of +40dBm with the H-mode mixers using the FST switches is possible but not on such a high IF. Such a performance is possible up to 50MHz.In spyverter the LO used is 120Mhz thus the FST switch is running on 120MHz. To reach the declared the switch should be separately biased and proper transformers used to match properly the input and decrease the losses. Of course, the 120MHz signal should be as squared as possible to switch the FST switches properly. When you comply to all this requirements the OIP3 on such a high IF hardly reach the OIP3 of +30dBm. What I have seen from the available photo, this requirements are not followed so the declared IP3 values = hard to meet. On the other hand, even if this converter is high IP3 unit, what is the purpose when you RTL dongle is poor IP3 performer. You should know that IP3 chain is working opposite than NF chain, so the last part in the chain should have the best IP3 figures, not the first. Another marketing trick is declaring the high IIP3 of the Airspy. Such a high IIP3 can be reach (if reached at all) only when you decrease the gain of the tuner to 0 (zero). You know what is the reception quality when you set the gain of the R820 to zero? Not to mention the NF when the gain is reduced.
NO FREE LUNCH…..

Testing the units is the best way. But, this should be done by vendor, to support the figures declared.
You can find the measurements for mine (LNAs) products published. We already discuss the NF of the R820T tuners where real measurements never reach declared 3.5db but we can see that figure as declared. ADE-1 is not a big IP3 performer, this is just a Level 7 mixer and the point of using this mixer was value for the money. Descent performance for the price. Two or even three tone test should be done on the unit to get the idea how much this unit is better from the others.
If the job was done “by the book”, properly, the Airspy should be better regarding the IP3 than the rest of the upconverters on the market, but this should be proved by measurements.

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What is RTL-SDR

The RTL-SDR is an ultra cheap software defined radio based on DVB-T TV tuners with RTL2832U chips. The RTL-SDR can be used as a wide band radio scanner. It may interest ham radio enthusiasts, hardware hackers, tinkerers and anyone interested in RF.